Mefloquine - FAQ

Can the "Proguanil-Strip" and "Mefloquine-Strip" kits be used with the blood?

No, only on urine specimen.

When dipping the stick in urine, the level of sample passes beyond the line indicated by the red arrows at the bottom of the stick. Is there any consequence on the test reactivity?

The line below red arrows indicates the limit that could not be passed beyond during incubation.
Depending on the assay tube used routinely in laboratories, it could happen that the limit line indicated on the sticker could be overcome. It can give rise to any problems on the result itself due to excessive dilution of adsorbed reagents in urine. One of them is adsorbed at 1.5 cm from the bottom of the stick. Incubation limit should not exceed 1,2cm, i.e. the red line indicated on the figure.

Why does the control line sometimes appear very weak whatever the signal on test?

Control line is aimed to ensure that chromatography has been performed up to the top of the strip. It is not related with the result of the diagnostic itself.

Sometimes, the control line might be "slightly weak "without any precise reason. It could be only an effect of the sample migration and / or responsiveness at the control line. To sum up, the control line is aimed to validate the test using various specimen exists.

Why is stability relatively short after opening the tube containing strips?

Indeed the product is stable during at least 20 weeks after first opening. 20 weeks is quite high: that means less than 3 tests per week. Stability is dependant of the storage conditions. Immunochromatographic test uses nitrocellulose support which is sensitive to humidity. That's why we put desiccant in the tube and in the cap.
In each case, there is an internal control (upper line). If this internal control appears during the run that means that the test is running well. We have to give a shelf life, but the test can be used after 20 weeks. The result will be valid if the control line appears.

How to use correctly Coris BioConcept's kits?

Always store the reagents at the indicated storage temperature : between 4 and 30°C for all kits except for Oligochromatographic kits which contain Ampli-Reagents that requires to store at –20°C

Always use gloves manipulate kit components and samples

Always use the provided (Extraction, Dilution, …) buffer even for the sample already diluted (e.g. in a transport medium)

Always ensure that the solution sample – buffer is homogenous before testing

Always ensure the sample - buffer immerse below the limit line marked by red arrow on the strip to avoid colloidal gold conjugate dilution in the buffer

Always read the results when the stick is wet (between 10 and 15 minutes depending on the test)

After opening of the tube which contains the strips, quality is guaranteed during 15 weeks

Always close the tube after every use to avoid that strips become wet. Always leave the desiccant inside the tube. If storing the strips' tube at 4°C, always ensure to warm up to room temperature before proceeding with the test

The bottom of the nitrocellulose on the strip shows a pinkish aspect. Is it normal?

No. Maybe the sticker (with red arrows) covering the bottom of the nitrocellulose is peeled off. In this case, the test is invalid. You must perform the test with another strip.

The liquid does not go up the strip.

If the sample does not migrate due to the presence of particles, centrifuge the diluted sample. Collect the culture supernatant and perform the test again.

Is it a problem if the test has "run" more than the recommended time of 10-min?

This is to avoid as far as possible. Test has been validated for 10-minutes of run.

Is it a problem if the test is "plunged" in liquid volume of less or more than 400µl?

No. Although 400µl is the optimal volume, test can be run in a urine volume in the range 200-500µl. Take care the level of the sample is below the red line under red arrows.